Mob beats men thought to be gay

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Human rights activists say a mob dragged men accused of being homosexuals from their homes in the Nigerian capital and beat them up with wooden clubs and iron bars.

They say four of the 14 victims then were punched and kicked by police officers. A police spokeswoman promised to respond to the allegations about the attack in the early hours of Thursday in a shantytown of Abuja.

Human rights activist Ifeanyi Orazulike said four young men were seriously injured in the attack and all the victims are in hiding.

The U.S. Embassy says the attack strengthens its concerns that Nigeria’s recently passed Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act could be used to justify such violence.